I have had window visors on my past two vehicles for several years each. My current vehicle doesn’t have any but I am strongly considering getting them again and it’s why I’m writing this all down to share. So while I have enjoyed having window visors in the past I will still provide an unbiased and informative article on each of the pro’s and con’s I have encountered.
What Are Window Visors?
Window visors: also refereed to as window deflectors, vent shades or rain guards are an add-on or auto accessory which is placed at the top of your car door windows. The visor hangs down a few inches and covers just the top part of the window.
They’re typically made out of acrylic which is dark tinted or painted chrome. There are both in and out channel window visors available. Which I will go into more detail later in the article.
What is the point of window visors? Window visors allow you to open your car windows enough to allow proper ventilation while blocking water or debris from getting in as well. So you can keep a window cracked without having to worry about getting yourself or the inside wet.
Usually while driving in rain or on wet streets you have to keep your windows up. With visors you can vent the windows and still be protected.
This is not only beneficial while driving but also when your car is parked. You can leave a window slightly open to keep the interior cool without any worry about rain or debris getting inside. Think about when you park under a tree how much stuff can fall onto your vehicle.
So overall the main purpose of window visors is to keep stuff from getting in through your open windows.
Do Window Visors Reduce Wind Noise?
Wind noise that occurs from venting a car window can be reduced by installing window visors. Window visors block wind from directly rushing through a vented window. Not only is the wind noise decreased but so is the draft.
While the wind noise can be reduced when having a window open. Wind visors themselves create a slight wind sound as they catch air. This is something I noticed on my first drive after putting them on. The sound is very light but is noticeable. Still not a deal breaker in my opinion.
On most vehicles you will notice a significant wind noise reduction. I certainly did on my last two jeeps with window visors. Of course not all vehicles are created equal but I think for the most part you will notice less wind noise. Its like turning your car’s AC/Heat blowers down a couple levels. Both for noise and air flow the difference is very noticeable.
The Pros and Cons of Window Visors
After just recently installing window visors on my car I have come up a personal list of pro’s and con’s.
Pros
- Being able to have a window open enough to let in fresh air during a rainstorm is worth it.
- This benefit carried over from driving to just leaving your car parked and going inside somewhere. No more water getting you or your interior wet.
- The visors do a good job of concealing the fact your window is open.
- This is especially nice on in the middle of summer on very hot days. Leaving the windows open keep the car cooler. Meanwhile you don’t have to worry about random debris getting in.
- Since installing the window visors on my vehicle I have the wind noise and buffeting was reduced.
- Wind buffeting is reduced while having the windows “cracked” slightly. While the visors themselves create a new wind noise it is very minimal and overall it is quieter having the windows opened slightly.
- The breeze that comes in through a window that is 5-10% open is reduced with the visors.
- Which is nice when the wind seems to be smacking you in the face, even when the window isn’t open very much.
- The window visors look cool and separate your car from other vehicles.
- If you notice other drivers with the same car as you a lot. You can makes your different by installing window visors. I see the exact car many times on my commute and now I feel like mine is more unique.
- Visors provide a little extra shading from the sun.
- Sometimes the sun is just at the right spot shining in your face. I have noticed before my visors blocking out the sun at these moments as its a relief.
- Great for smokers who like to ash their cigarettes out the window.
- If either you or a passenger in your car likes to smoke cigarettes and ash out the window. Visors stop the ash from catching in the wind and ending up in your backseat.
Cons
So window visors aren’t perfect and they do have a few con’s as well. These are all ones I have personally noticed along with hearing and reading from other drivers.
- Window visors tend to catch water that doesn’t dry easily after a car wash.
- Even with a automatic car wash air blower there seems to always be leftover water. This water drips out and spots the windows overtime. So it does create extra work to dry them if you want to keep a spotless car.
- Window visors do scratch easily and its impossible to remove.
- Overtime or any encounter with a sharp object with easily leave permanent scratch in your visors. Unlike paint you really can’t buff these scratches out. Also the visors themselves aren’t perfect when they are made. The ones I just bought have some imperfections that you will notice. Granted they are very minor and not likely to be noticeable to anyone else but you.
- Tape on visors and even in channel visors can become loose overtime.
- After many car washes and other activities such as wiping snow off your car. Visors will start to loose there grip and can become loose. I consider this a minor problem as I had mine for over 5 years and they never fell off.
- Weathering does affect the visors, especially direct sun exposure.
- While researching window visors I came across a video of someones visors which had become so brittle that you could crumble them in your hand. Also visors are another place for ice to form on your vehicle and you risk damaging them by scraping the ice off.
- Window visors could be a point of attack on your vehicle.
- If someone wants to vandalize your car they may see the visors as an easy target. This kind of a catch 22 because if the visors are the only thing they damage, then you might be considered lucky. But still visors can draw attention to your vehicle as they are an aftermarket accessory.
Police may find them unsuitable for your vehicle or that they inhibit your visibility. Still this is unlikely unless you have other noticeable changes to your windows like illegal tinting. I never heard of anyone being pulled over for having window visors. So I won’t really count this as a con but its something to consider.
Are Window Visors Legal?
Anybody who is worried about getting a traffic ticket for having window visors installed shouldn’t be.
As long as the window visors do not obstruct or impair the drivers view they won’t violate any state or federal law. Window visors aren’t included in windshield obstruction or window tint laws. These are the closest set of rules that could possibly include window visors but no state directly prohibits them.
You are more likely to be pulled over for excessively tinted windows or even hanging objects from your rear-view mirror. Which violates both windshield obstruction laws and window tint laws.
A police officer could pull you over for window visors but there isn’t much he can do if that’s the only thing you have on your car. Your not likely to get issued a ticket unless you have illegal licenses plate covers, illegal tinting and window visors all together. Which he may include in the ticket but its rarely the main cause of concern.
Do Window Visors Affect Your Gas Mileage?
While there is no definitive proof or study that shows if window visors have a negative affect on gas mileage. There was a study done on how bug deflectors effect fuel economy on commercial trucks. The National Research Council of Canada found that bug deflectors decreased gas mileage by about 1.5 – 3%.
“bug deflectors decreased gas mileage by about 1.5 – 3%”
— National Research Council of Canada
Again this study was done on bug deflectors which are placed directly in the front of a vehicle. Causing much more drag than side window visors.
The average fuel economy for a passenger car is about 25 miles per gallon. When we reduce that by 3% our mpg goes down to 24.25 mpg. So a .75 reduction in mpg occurs which is not even a full gallon.
A window visor could perhaps even improve gas mileage as it might help air flow around the vehicle. But you would need a wind tunnel to truly test this out.
Overall the effect of window visors on gas mileage is hardly noticeable if at all. I have never seen a bad review from anyone saying their gas mileage dipped significantly after installing window visors.
In Channel Window Visors vs Adhesive Tape: Positive and Negatives of Each
When browsing for window visors be aware there are two different kinds available. In channel (also known as in track) and tape on (or stick on) window visors are the two versions. While both provide the same functionality may find that the tape or stick on versions are easier to install.
what is the difference between in channel and tape on window deflectors?
The biggest difference between in channel and tape on window visors is where and how each one is installed. The in channel visor is adhered into the window channel/track. Tape on visors are placed onto the exterior of the car door just above the window.
In channel visors come into direct contact with the window. Closing the window is how an applied automotive tape is pressed down to seal. Then most instructions state to leave your window closed for up to 72 hours after installation.
Which is better tape on or in channel vent visors?
Both visors can work equally as well but each one has its pros and cons.
Personally I prefer the tape on vent visors because I’ve read many stories online of people having trouble with in channel window visors. I do think in channel looks better because they’re low profile.
On average tape-on visors seem to have less issue with installation and don’t cause any interference with the window.
YourMotorFix.com
My last vehicle had tape on vent visors in which the back door visor corner never stuck down completely. While it never fell off it was annoying. I’m pretty sure this was a result of my installation. Maybe I didn’t clean off the area well enough before taping that one on.
In-Channel Window Visor Positives
- Sleep looking appearance as they don’t stick out as much from the window.
- Can’t be ripped or knocked off the window.
In-Channel Window Visor Negatives
- Little harder to install
- Risk of obstruction causing the window regulator to break overtime.
- Window might not seal 100% causing additional road noise.
- Can peel window tint.
Tape (Adhesion) On Window Visor Positives
- Easy To Install.
- Doesn’t interfere with window in any way.
- No risk of damaging your window regulator.
Tape On (Adhesion) Window Visor Negatives
- Require precision installing them as you want all four to match up evenly.
- Don’t look as sleek as they tend to stick out farther than in channel visors.
- Can peel off overtime.
- Could damage clear coat paint.
- If removed later on the paint that was underneath the visor might not match the rest of the car’s color because of sun fading.
I’d still recommend the tape on vent visors myself and I just happened to purchase a new set for my current vehicle. All the photos in this post are from those new visors.
How To Buy The Right Window Visors For Your Car
I ordered AVS brand vent visors online through Amazon because I could filter the results for my specific vehicle. It was much faster than calling into a local store and having them order me the correct visors.
Here is how to go about doing that.
Buying From Amazon
There are two important steps for purchasing the right window visors for your vehicle.
Step One: Decide if you want in channel or tape on visors.
Step Two: Go to Amazon Garage and select your vehicle type, year, make and model.
Then you can begin filtering the product results that fit your current vehicle.
Installing Tape on Window Visors
You can have your new visors placed on your vehicle in 30 minutes or less.
Check out my how to install tape on window visors photos and instructions.
